Restrictions on the freedoms and rights under the EAC Common Market Protocol.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 31st July, 2025: The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat wishes to address recent developments regarding restrictions on the freedoms and rights under the EAC Common Market Protocol.
Since the adoption of the EAC Common Market Protocol, Partner States have committed to fostering regional integration by removing barriers to trade, services, and investment, and to refrain from introducing unilateral measures that hinder the free movement and establishment rights of citizens and businesses across the region.
The Protocol explicitly emphasizes that Partner States shall not reverse or restrict sectors and trades they have previously liberalized, as outlined in Annex V of the EAC Common Market Schedule of Commitment on the progressive liberalization of Services.
It is important to remind all Partner States that unilateral backtracking on these commitments is inconsistent with the obligations under the Protocol. This was reaffirmed by the Attorneys General through the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Matters in November 2024.
All Partner States are encouraged to adhere to the obligations they have committed to in order to maintain the integrity of our regional single market.
The Secretariat is currently undertaking an analysis of the extent of compliance to obligations and will present any identified inconsistent measures by Partner States at the upcoming meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment.
The EAC remains committed to fostering a seamless regional integration process and calls on all Partner States to uphold the principles enshrined in the establishing Treaty and Common Market Protocol.
Hon. Veronica M. Nduva, CBS
Secretary General
East African Community
Tel: +255 27 2162100
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.eac.int